The aim of association is to promote women's self-determination and the possibility of making choices independently by increasing the capacity to protect oneself against physical and psychological violence through:

• the knowledge of the phenomenon of gender violence in our territory
• the dissemination of adequate information
• the promotion of a culture and practices to combat gender violence

The Collettivo Donne Matera was founded on 25^th of November 2013 on the International Day for the Elimination of violence against women.

The goal of the Collettivo is to contribute to the creation of a society that is as fair and inclusive as possible where social support, public health and education services, economic resources and employment opportunities can be guaranteed and adequate to a dignified life for all. For these reasons, they fully support the 5 goals indicated by the United Nations (achieving gender equality and emancipation for all women and girls, obviously including the gender violence topic).

Crucial tools to reach these results are the knowledge of the phenomenon in Italy and in particular in the local reality, the dissemination of adequate information, especially among young people, the promotion of a renewed culture as well as practices of respect and dialogue. Since 2013, on November 25^th annually it has been organised a series of initiatives to recall and condemn the dramatic reality of femicide and to promote positive practices through gatherings, training courses held in schools with the support of professional actors, street parades and performances in the city as well as social communication campaigns.

The Collettivo Donne Matera is deeply concerned about the gravity of economic and social inequalities in Italy which the most vulnerable groups suffer from, including children, foreigners and women. In the last 10 years in Italy as well as throughout Europe and especially in the Eurozone countries, the gap between rich and poor has steadily increased and public funding for social services has increasingly decreased (health, education, social support previously provided by the Municipalities). According to the data published by ISTAT, today in Italy over 5 million people live in conditions of absolute poverty, which is unacceptable.

Since 2015, the Collettivo has promoted initiatives to study and understand the real reasons for the economic crisis and to foster positive actions, including the lack of expert Consultants who have now virtually disappeared throughout Italy. Another important goal that the association wants to achieve is the opening of a Social Counselling Service conceived as an informal space open to anyone where one has the chanced to be welcomed and listened.

The Social Counselling Service will operate not only as a medical clinic, but also as a place for prevention and health promotion and a bridge between individual discomfort and institutional services, through a network of Associations, volunteers and institutions. It will encourage active involvement in projects and activities for all people joining it.

“We are all suffering the consequences of the economic and social crisis and we all can do something through a social exchange as a mutual enrichment. It is an ambitious project but by putting together our resources and skills we think that we can achieve our goals together with the citizens of Matera who are expressing and showing high interest and willingness to collaborate.” Collettivo Donne Matera.

In November it has been recorded a webinar about “SDG5 Gender Equality” organized in Matera for the 3^rd learning activity of “SociSDG”. If you are interested to find out more info about the association and learn more about this topic, you can visit this link http://www.socisdg.com/en/webinars/webinar-sdg-5/